He had to make it on his own. Well, he had to learn to make it on his own. It simply felt right. That's all there was to it, really. Spring had come and with it, he'd begun to grow into something more akin to an adolescent - fire was strong in his blood, who was he to deny it? He had a yearning in his paws and legs that sought something new, something exciting, something else. Maybe he did belong in a pack. Maybe he did belong with his family but, well, he didn't know for sure. Wasn't that part of growing up? Finding out the answer? Besides, one half of his family had moved off of the mountain when the rest did too. He felt like a child but he missed his mother. At least he could use her as a cover if anybody ever asked why he'd abandoned a cozy den and free meals.

In any case, he'd felt the desire since he had come across those... what were they? Merceneries? They seemed intriguing. He liked the idea of being skilled and desired for that skill. It felt better than just accepting a place among a hierarchy where he would only ever be better than the wolves below him, but never above him. See, he figured in the wild, he could become better than everybody. No restrictions, no limits. Amorak's blood was a potent thing it seemed, even if the boy hadn't inherited his mismatched eyes or dark fur. He had inherited that wanderlust, that noncommittal blood. It didn't mean he didn't feel guilty for slipping away come the rising sun, it simply meant there was a bit of joy in it.

He hadn't gotten far before he grew restless though. His paws still itched even though he made that first step into his future. So, he'd found himself a rather nifty spot on the island that jutted out from the waters of Ruieze Lake. He had swam across, his fur bogged down unceremoniously, and had immediately begun basking on the shores. He had rolled onto his back, upside down as he gazed out across the water and back at the mainland. The sun warmed his belly and dried his fur, leaving a rather perplexing sight for any other.

At any rate, he had found a comfortable position and so, he begun to ponder his future now that he had all this freedom and no idea what to do with it. Should he find the old man? The one with the good nose? Or should he just enjoy his time on the shores in the midday sun, belly up and eyes wide with excitement?